2014 ECICOG Annual Report

Words from ECICOG Chair
& Executive Director
Pages 3 - 5
TABLE OF CONTENTS
New
Initiatives
Pages 6 - 10
2014 Statistics
For ECICOG
Pages 11 - 15
Services to Member
Governments
Pages 16 - 20
2014 Members of
the ECICOG Board
Aaron Granquist Jim Throgmorton
Alan Johnson Kevin Heitshusen
Ben Rogers Laurie Goodrich
Bob Yoder Linda Langston
Brent Hinson Louise From
Craig Hamilton Lu Barron
Darrin Gage Todd Wiley
Dave Fish Vicki Pope
Don Gray Wayne Manternach
Dusty Embree Kathleen
VanSteenhuyse
Ed Raber (Chair)
ECICOG was established in 1973 to
promote regional cooperation and
provide professional planning services
to local governments in Benton, Iowa,
Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington
Counties. ECICOG also provides solid
waste planning services to Tama
County and transportation planning
services to Cedar County.

WORDS FROM
ECICOG Chair &
Executive Director
3

ECICOG Board of Directors
Chairperson
Ed
Raber
WORDS FROM
As board chairperson, it is my pleasure to present the
ECICOG Annual Report for 2014. This report highlights
recent initiatives undertaken by the agency and by the
Creative Corridor region. It is rewarding to see how
regional collaborations are expanding around issues
like commuter transportation, resources for established
and emerging businesses, and watershed
management.
In the last portion of the Annual Report, it is equally
impressive to see listed the more traditional ECICOG
activities that have added to the growing vibrancy of
the Creative Corridor. Expanding municipal
infrastructure, community based comprehensive
planning, and the development of multi-jurisdictional
hazard mitigation plans.
Collectively, these initiatives are making the Creative
Corridor communities more prepared, more robust,
and more collaborative places to live, work, and play.
I would like to thank my colleagues on the ECICOG
Board and the professional staff for their dedication
and commitment to the agency, and for their support
during my service as chairperson.
4

WORDS FROM
ECICOG
Executive Director
Doug Elliott
It is said that with age comes wisdom. Oscar Wilde agreed,
but he also said that, “sometimes, age comes alone.”
In July 2014, I celebrated my twentieth anniversary as the
executive director of ECICOG. It’s difficult not to fall into a
trap of clichés when pondering a milestone like that. But,
it’s true that time has flown, and I often think, if I only knew
then what I know now—because hopefully, I’m a little older
and a little wiser. More importantly, I believe we as an
agency are a little older and a little wiser.
Given the breadth of challenges and opportunities that
local governments face, it’s easy for an organization like
ECICOG to fall into another trap: that of trying to be all
things to all people. But through the guidance of a
committed board of directors and the dedication of a
talented staff, I believe we’ve been able to maintain, for
the most part, that balance of honing our core expertise
and providing key programs while being open to new
challenges and remaining nimble enough to address them.
This annual report features some great examples of
expanding agency service and capacity based on core
expertise and previous experience. And equally important,
they arose from an issue identified by our member or in
concert with our members. They are, I think, examples of
aging wisely.
5

HOUSING REHABILITATION
ECICOG oversees several different housing programs that are dedicated to improving
quality of life by offering innovative and flexible funding options in order to expand
affordable housing opportunities in our region. Two of the programs include the Housing
Fund for Linn County (HFfLC) started in 2007 for the Linn County area and the East
Central Iowa Housing Trust Fund (ECIHTF) started in 2010 for Benton, Iowa, Jones, and
Washington Counties.
Over the years our housing programs have been extremely successful, and this past
year was no exception. In 2014, the two housing trust funds were granted $864,482 and
were able to use these funds to rehabilitate 193 homes. The HFfLC received $372,358
and rehabilitated 85 total households in eight different cities in Linn County, including
Ely, Marion, Hiawatha, Center Point, Springville, Robins, Troy Mills, and Cedar Rapids. The
ECIHTF received $492,124 and rehabilitated 108 total households.
2015 AWARDS
Recently, in December the Iowa Finance Authority announced that over $7.3 million
would be awarded to 27 local Housing Trust Funds, and ECICOG’s housing programs
secured $724,199. The HFfLC was awarded $426,278 to use in Linn County and the ECHTF
was awarded $297,921 to use in Benton, Iowa, Jones, and Washington Counties.
As the Iowa Housing Authority’s recent press release stated, “The grant funds will be
used for initiatives such as preserving aging housing stock, subsidizing local down
payment assistance programs, providing low-interest loans or grants to assist Iowans in
home rehabilitation, financing construction of new single-family housing for low-income
Iowans and supporting housing for persons with disabilities and homeless assistance
programs.”
If you would like more information on ECICOG’s housing programs or are interested in
submitting an application please visit www.ecicog.org/housing-programs.
NEW INITIATIVES
Housing &
Community
Development
7

ECICOG REVOLVING LOAN FUND
ECICOG established a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) in 2009 that has become increasingly
successful. The RLF has provided over $4.6 million in loans to 31 businesses in our six
county region, including Benton, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington Counties.
These loans have leveraged an additional $27 million in matching loans and have
helped to support jobs and economic growth.
The RLF was created to assist new and existing business in ECICOG’s region with
development and expansion. The loan funds are used in conjunction with local lenders
to serve as gap financing for proposals, where the lender serves as the primary source of
funding. As the loans are repaid, the fund revolves back out to other candidates.
Currently the program has an additional $1.9 million that has revolved back around and
is available to loan back out. If you know any businesses that would be interested,
please have them contact Robyn Jacobson at robyn.jacobson@ecicog.org.
NEW REVOLVING LOAN FUNDS
Due to our organization’s capacity to handle revolving loan funds, ECICOG was
approached in 2014 to help with revolving loan funds for two different organizations.
In March the City of Cedar Rapids approached ECICOG to administer their new Cedar
Rapids Revolving Loan Fund. The fund was created to encourage expansion and
growth in the flood impacted area. Eligibility is dependent on location and/or whether
the business received previous disaster aid.
In July the Czech Village/New Bohemia Main Street District also approached ECICOG to
administer their new revolving loan fund. The fund was created to assist new and
existing businesses within the district in development and expansion efforts.
Both of these RLFs are still relatively new, however, as we move forward into 2015 we
anticipate that they will become increasingly successful. For more information on any of
the RLFs or to get an application visit www.ecicog.org/revolving-loan-funds.
Economic
Development
NEW INITIATIVES
8

INDIAN CREEK WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY
The mission of the Indian Creek Watershed Management Authority (ICWMA) is to bring together
people and communities in the Indian Creek Watershed to generate ideas, plans and actions to
protect the Dry, Indian and Squaw Creeks and the communities they flow through. Past flood
events have caused extensive damage throughout the watershed and both Dry and Indian
Creeks are considered “impaired” in terms of water quality.
The ICWMA formed in 2012 to provide a framework for watershed level planning and
management. This effort is one example of a shift in local governments’ approach to water-
related issues that extend beyond their borders. The members of the ICWMA, including Linn
County, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, and the Linn Soil & Water Conservation District,
recognize that everyone in the watershed contributes to flooding and water quality issues and it
will take broad cooperation to address those issues.
Watershed Management Authorities, like the ICWMA, can play a unique role by conducting
watershed research and engaging the entire watershed in planning and prioritizing
improvement projects, as well as generally educating about flood risk and water
quality concerns.
PLAN DEVELOPMENT
The ICWMA, through the City of Marion, received a grant from the state to develop a
comprehensive watershed management plan that is informed by watershed research and
based on a community engagement process that develops local solutions. The plan will
ultimately contain goals, action steps and funding ideas to help address issues identified in the
watershed.
One of the major components of the planning process was Lunch, Learn, and Input Sessions that
engaged a variety of watershed stakeholders in developing the plan goals. Each of the three
sessions focused on a different watershed issue and provided specific research results that
helped attendees give feedback on draft goals and objectives for the plan.
The Indian Creek Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan will be completed this year
based largely on input from these sessions. If you are interested in getting more information
about the ICWMA and plan development, please visit www.indiancreekwatershed.weebly.com
or connect with the ICWMA on Facebook at tinyurl.com/o4u5w7m.
Plan focus areas will include
suggested improvements in:
• Storm Water Management
• Flood Risk Reduction
• Water Quality
• Aquatic Recreation
• Public Education and
Outreach
Solid Waste &
Environmental
Services
NEW INITIATIVES
9

COMMUTER STUDY
This past year the Iowa DOT was directed by the Iowa legislature to conduct a study
about the needs and demand for commuter transportation alternatives in the Interstate
380 corridor. The study involved two public surveys that resulted in almost 1,000
commuter respondents, two open houses, and multiple planning meetings with
oversight from an advisory group that included ECICOG staff.
Based on the results from the study the Iowa DOT developed transit suggestions and
next steps. The suggested enhancements focused largely on the commute between
the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City areas and involved four types of recommended transit,
including a public interregional express bus service, a subscription bus service, a public
vanpool program, and a public carpool program. Other suggested enhancements
were related to infrastructure and technology including park and ride facilities, regional
commuter travel information, transit priority measures, and a guaranteed ride home
program.
STUDY IMPLEMENTATION
The study which can be found at www.iowadot.gov/commuterstudy states that the
next steps should include forming a study implementation committee, determining
funding and financing options, developing an implementation plan, and determining
project phasing. This study also suggests that ECICOG be the lead agency for
implementation, specifically leading the initial effort and discussions between study
partners.
Based on the Iowa DOT’s suggestions, ECICOG has already begun moving forward with
this process and scheduled the first study implementation meeting for January 30th. The
meeting goal is to form the initial steering committee for this project and to help identify
potential sub-committees and their members. From this, ECICOG and its partners hope
to start developing and moving forward with the rest of the outlined steps.
If you would like more information on how ECICOG is moving forward with this process,
please visit our website at www.ecicog.org/commuter-plan.
Transportation
& Regional
Development
NEW INITIATIVES
10

2014 STATISTICS
16%
51%
15%
18%
ECICOG
Iowa Waste Exchange
Solid Waste Education
Indian Creek Watershed
ECICOG Website
21 Unique Visitors Daily
43 Pages Viewed
630 Unique Visitors Monthly
1,290 Pages Viewed
Facebook
286 Likes
1,185 Monthly Reach
Across all Facebook pages,
including ECICOG, Iowa Waste
Exchange, Solid Waste Education,
and Indian Creek Watershed
Indian Creek
Watershed Website
120 Unique Visitors Monthly
350 Pages Viewed
Online
Presence
12
Percent
Monthly
Reach

2014 STATISTICS
Community and
Economic
Development Revolving Loan Funds
ECICOG RLF
$1,418,250 in Loans
9 Businesses in 6 Cities
New RLFs
$63,000 in Loans
3 Businesses
Community Development Block Grants
$1,332,074 in Funding
Secured for Future
Projects in 3 Cities
Marengo, Wyoming
and Marion
Projects Completed in 5 Cities
and 1 County, with Funding
Totaling $1,934,302
Marengo, Wellman, Oxford Junction,
Coralville, Lone Tree and Benton County
13

2014 STATISTICS
Planning
and
Transportation
ECI Transit Provider Services
364,677 Total Rides
1,422,491 Revenue Miles
109,100 Revenue Hours
6 Providers
Providers include Benton County Transportation, Iowa County
Transportation, Johnson County Seats, Jones County Jets, Linn
County Lifts and Washington County Mini Bus
Hazard Mitigation
Planning
2 5-Year Plans Completed
Serving 28 Cities,
6 School Districts and
1 Major University
Indian Creek Watershed
140 Attendees at
3 Lunch, Learn & Input Sessions
450 People Surveyed in
the Watershed Planning Area
14

2014 STATISTICS
Solid Waste
Education
and Services
ECO Iowa City
1,393 Attendees to
52 Different Events
Events included programs, tours,
fields trips, book discussion, films and
a variety of other events
Iowa Waste Exchange
317 Businesses Assisted
44 Materials Matched, Resulting in
916 Tons of Waste Diverted from Landfills
$33,946 Cost Savings from Diversion
Summer Library
Reading Program
1,463 Attendees
37 Programs
32 Libraries
6 Counties
Educational Services
3,052 Attendees
73 Programs
Programs include assemblies,
classrooms, day care, summer care,
libraries, STEM and Civic Groups
15

SERVICES
To Member
Governments
16

SERVICES
To Member
Governments
B E N T O N C O U N T Y
City of Atkins
· Coordinate Curbside Bin Purchase
City of Belle Plaine
· Brownfields Assessment Grant Application
· CDBG Wastewater Application
City of Garrison
· Garrison Fun Day Booth
City of Keystone
· Summer Library Reading Program
City of Luzerne
· Assist with Collection Contract
City of Newhall
City of Norway
· CDBG Income Survey
City of Shellsburg
· SW School Assembly
City of Urbana
· Brownfields Inventory
· Codification
· Research for City Clean-Up Day
· School Recycling Presentations
City of Van Horne
· Codification
City of Vinton
· Development of Vinton Brochure
· Recycling Education
· Residential Buy-Out Administration
· Storm Debris Assistance
· Summer Reading Program
Benton County
· Benton County Conservation Day
· CDBG Water Project
· ECIHTF Home Repair Grant Administration
· FHLB Application/AHP Administration
· Housing Trust Fund Administration
· Landfill Services Education & Promotion
· Recycling Drop Off Program - Education &
Promotion
· Solid Waste E-Newsletter
· SW Commission 28E Agreement Facilitation
· Wind & Tornado Damage Assistance
Program
I O W A C O U N T Y
City of Ladora
· Assistance to Firefighters Application
City of Marengo
· CDBG Wastewater Phase 1 & Phase 2
Project
· CDBG Wastewater Phase 3 Application
· Elementary Assembly Program
· School Recycling Programs
City of North English
· Assist with Clean-Up Day
· School Presentations
City of Williamsburg
· Community SW Education Program
· School Recycling Programs
· Science Fair
Iowa County
· Amana Summer Library Reading Program
· Assist Lake Iowa with Information - Recycling
Grants
· Clear Creek Amana School SW Education
Programs
· Community Solid Waste Presentations
· FHLB/AHP Administration
· FHLB Application
· Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Plan
J O H N S O N C O U N T Y
City of Coralville
· Booth at Climate Change March
· CDBG Administration - Housing
· EDA Business Assistance - RLF
City of Hills
· Comprehensive Plan
City of Iowa City
· ECO - Iowa City Programs
· HMGP Notice of Interest for Flood Buyout
· School SW Educational Programs
City of Lone Tree
· CDBG Administration-Housing
City of North Liberty
· ECO - Iowa City Library Extension
· Recycling Program Assistance and Policy
City of Oxford
· CDBG Wastewater Project
· Clear Creek Amana Community School
District HMGP Notice of Interest for Safe
Room
City of Shueyville
· Codification
· Development Review
· Zoning Ordinance
17

SERVICES
To Member
Governments
J O H N S O N C O U N T Y (cont.)
City of Solon
City of Swisher
City of Tiffin
· Multi Family New Construction
· Summer Library Reading Programs
Johnson County
· Community SW Educational Programs
· ECO - Iowa City Grant
· FHLB/AHP Administration III
· Flood Insurance Reimbursement Program
· HTFJC Grant for Home Repair Administration
· Loan Interest Supplemental Program
· Mobile Home Grant Administration
J O N E S C O U N T Y
City of Anamosa
· Earth Day Fair
City of Monticello
· 4-H Program
· Assistance with Advertising Excess
Equipment
· Chamber of Commerce Presentation
· Demolition Program
City of Olin
City of Onslow
City of Oxford Junction
· CDBG Housing Fund Application
· CDBG Water Project Phase 2
· Code and Ordinance Inspection
· Codification
· SW School Assembly
City of Wyoming
· CDBG Administration - Housing
Jones County
· Co-sponsored Jones County Green Space
Field Day
· FHLB Application
· Solid Waste Commission Job Description
Assistance
· Transfer Station Customer Survey
L I N N C O U N T Y
City of Alburnett
· Hazard Mitigation Planning
City of Bertram
· Development Review
City of Cedar Rapids
· Administer Cedar Rapids Business Assistance
RLF Program
· Administer Czech Village New Bohemia
Main Street District RLF Program
· College Community CSD Hazard Mitigation
Planning
· Community SW Education Programs
· Daycare SW Educational Programs
· ICWMA Watershed Planning
· Landfill & Recycling Presentations to various
groups
City of Center Point
· Center Point Urbana CSD Hazard Mitigation
Planning
· Codification
· Library Garden Party Booth
· School SW Education Programs
· Zoning Ordinance
City of Central City
City of Coggon
City of Ely
· Summer Library Reading Programs
City of Fairfax
City of Hiawatha
· EDA Business Assistant RLF
· Summer Library Reading
Program
18

SERVICES
To Member
Governments
L I N N C O U N T Y (cont.)
City of Lisbon
· CDBG Housing Fund Application
· EDA Business Assistant RLF
City of Marion
· CDBG Downtown Revitalization Project
· Day Camp Program
City of Mount Vernon
City of Palo
· CDBG Supplemental Flood Infrastructure
City of Prairieburg
City of Robins
City of Springville
· Zoning Ordinance Review
City of Walker
Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste
Agency
· Administer Community Partnership Grant
Program
· Assist with Landfill Tours
· Biomass Program Promotion
· Develop Educational Displays
· Environmental Management Systems
Assistance
· Fair Booths/Presentations
Linn County
· FHLB Applications
· Housing Fund for Linn County
· Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation
Planning
· SHTF Application
Linn County
· CDBG Flood Recovery
· HFfLC Home Repair Grant Administration
· Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
T A M A C O U N T Y
City of Chelsea
City of Dysart
City of Tama
· South Tama Elementary School
Assemblies
City of Toledo
Tama County
· Implementation of Electronic Recycling
Project
W A S H I N G T O N C O U N T Y
City of Kalona
· ECO - Iowa City Extension Programs
· FHLB Housing Rehabilitation
· Summer Library Reading/Library
Program
· SW Education Programs
City of Washington
City of Wellman
Washington County
· FHLB/AHP Administration II
· FHLB Application
R E G I O N A L
Solid Waste & Environmental Services
· Environmental Management Systems
· Iowa Waste Exchange Administration,
Services, Newsletter/Marketing, Grant
Assistance
· Prepare Form E for SWAP Applications
· Solid Waste Comprehensive Planning
· Staff Assistance to Solid Waste Commissions
· Staff Solid Waste TAC
· STEM Conference Presentation
· SW Regional Contract Assistance - Tires,
White goods, Electronics
Transportation & Regional Development
· Administration of Regional Transit System
· Administration of State &
Federal Funding Contracts
19

SERVICES
To Member
Governments
R E G I O N A L (cont.)
Transportation & Regional Development (cont.)
· Annual Consolidated Transit Application
· Census Data Analysis & Mapping for Various
Reports & Studies
· CDBG Housing Rehabilitation Program Maps
· City of Robins, Hills, Vinton, Palo & Alburnett
Comprehensive Plan Maps
· Coordinate with Metropolitan Planning Orgs
· Jones County Comprehensive Plan Maps
· Linn County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard
Mitigation Plan Maps
· Prepare Annual Passenger Transportation
Plan
· Prepare Annual Service Agreements
· Prepare Public Involvement Plan
· Prepare Title VI Plan
· Procure Regional Transit Equipment
· Regional Trails GIS Database
· Sensitive Area GIS Mapping
· Serve on Iowa Commuter Transportation
Study Advisory Committee
· Serve on Iowa Commuter Transportation
Study Project Management Team
· Staff MDST
· Staff Assistance to Contracted Transit
Providers
· Staff CRDS Workgroup
· Staff Passenger Transportation Advisory
Committee
· Staff Regional Trails Advisory Committee
· Staff RLF Committee
· Staff Transit Operators Group
· Staff Transit Services Review
Committee
· Staff Transportation Policy Committee
· Staff Transportation TAC
· Transportation Improvement Program
· Transportation Planning Work Program
Iowa Association of Regional Councils
· Staff Serves on Board of Directors
· EDA Fiscal Agent
· IARC Rental Inspections
Iowa Recycling Association
· Awards Committee
· Conference Planning Workshop
· Education Committee
Iowa Conservation Education Coalition
· Conference Planning
· Staff Serves on Board of Directors
General Public and Other Organizations
· Cedar River Watershed Coalition
· Continuum of Care
· Corridor Conservation Coalition
· Educational Presentations
· Indian Creek Watershed Management
Authority
· Information Provision & Referral
· IPTA - Iowa Public Transit Association
· LACOAD-Linn Area Community
Organizations Active in Disaster
· Planning & Zoning Workshops & Training
· Regional Sustainable Business Alliance
· UNI Pre-Service Teacher Programs
20

2014 ECICOG Annual Report

Recommandé

Recommandé

Contenu connexe

Tendances

Tendances (20)

En vedette

En vedette (11)

Similaire à 2014 ECICOG Annual Report

Similaire à 2014 ECICOG Annual Report (20)

Dernier

Dernier (20)

2014 ECICOG Annual Report